Page 158 (1/2)

PART ONE

In Medias Res

1

HAPPY THE BRIDE

THE SUN SHINES ON

Mount Helicon

The Royal Colony of North Carolina

Late October, 1770

I WOKE TO THE PATTER OF RAIN on canvas, with the feel of my first husband’s kiss on ers to , or to hide it? I wondered, even as I did so

Jamie stirred anda fresh wave of scent frohost’s passing had disturbed him I frowned at the empty air outside our lean-to

Go away, Frank, I thought sternly

It was still dark outside, but the ray; daasn’t far off Nothing stirred, inside or out, but I had the distinct sense of an ironic ahtest of touches

Shouldn’t I come to see her married?

I couldn’t tell whether the words had forhts, or whether they—and that kiss—were merely the product of my own subconscious I had fallen asleep withpreparations; little wonder that I should wake frohts

I smoothed the rumpled muslin of my shift, uneasily aware that it was rucked up around my waist and that my skin was flushed withconcrete about the dreae and sensation I thought perhaps that was a good thing

I turned over on the rustling branches, nudging close to Jamie He arm and s of sleepychord I stretched ed his hip If he were sound asleep or disinclined, the gesture was slight enough to pass unnoticed; if he were not

He wasn’t He s hand ran slowly down rip on my bottom

“Mhed, and relaxed back into sleep, holding on

I nestled close, reassured The ih to banish the touch of lingering dreaht, so far as that went I was sure that if such a thing were possible, Bree would want both her fathers at her wedding

I ide awake now, but ht rain, but the air was cold and da than the distant prospect of hot coffee Particularly since the getting of coffee would involve a trip to the strea up the campfire—oh, God, the ould be da the coffee in a stone quern and brewing it, while wet leaves blew roundtree branches slithered down my neck

Shivering at the thought, I pulled the top quilt up over ue of preparations hich I had fallen asleep

Food, drinkluckily I needn’t trouble about that Jaeuests—no difficulties there We were in the hlanders in the Colonies, and food and drink were being provided Engraved invitations would not be necessary

Bree would have a new dress, at least; Jocasta’s gift as well Dark blue wool—silk was both too expensive and too impractical for life in the backwoods It was a far cry froe blosso to be ht have iined in the 1960s

I wondered what Frank ht of Brianna’s husband He likely would have approved; Roger was a historian—or once had been—like Frank hient and huhly devoted to Brianna and little Jemmy

Which is very adht in the direction of the mist, under the circumstances

You adh he had spoken the both himself and me

Ja s noises in his sleep

You know I do, I said silently I always did, and you know it, so just bugger off, will you?!

I turned my back firmly on the outer air and laid e in the feel of the soft, crumpled linen of his shirt

I rather thought Jaer credit for accepting Jeation; an honorable man could not do otherwise And I knew he had his doubts as to Roger’s ability to support and protect a faer was tall, well-built, and capable—but “bonnet, belt, and swordie” were the stuff of songs to Roger; to Jamie, they were the tools of his trade

RT ONE

In Medias Res

1

HAPPY THE BRIDE

THE SUN SHINES ON

Mount Helicon

The Royal Colony of North Carolina

Late October, 1770

I WOKE TO THE PATTER OF RAIN on canvas, with the feel of my first husband’s kiss on ers to , or to hide it? I wondered, even as I did so

Jamie stirred anda fresh wave of scent frohost’s passing had disturbed him I frowned at the empty air outside our lean-to

Go away, Frank, I thought sternly

It was still dark outside, but the ray; daasn’t far off Nothing stirred, inside or out, but I had the distinct sense of an ironic ahtest of touches

Shouldn’t I come to see her married?

I couldn’t tell whether the words had forhts, or whether they—and that kiss—were merely the product of my own subconscious I had fallen asleep withpreparations; little wonder that I should wake frohts

I smoothed the rumpled muslin of my shift, uneasily aware that it was rucked up around my waist and that my skin was flushed withconcrete about the dreae and sensation I thought perhaps that was a good thing

I turned over on the rustling branches, nudging close to Jamie He arm and s of sleepychord I stretched ed his hip If he were sound asleep or disinclined, the gesture was slight enough to pass unnoticed; if he were not